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FMDAC Disclaimer
FMDAC present this information as a guide / service to the metal detecting community. If you are traveling or are new to the hobby then FMDAC hopes this information is beneficial to you.
FMDAC will strive to keep it current however, FMDAC ask for and needs your help in this endeavor. The information was compiled from state regulations and state park department contacts.
If the regulations in your state change and you do not see the change here then please notify FMDAC contact. Mark Schuessler, FMDAC ALLIANCE LIAISON
*(E-mail)
FMDAC recommends that you check with the specific park service you are going to visit in order to be certain of their park
regulations. Every state has limitations within parks and some state parks are off limits.
Some of the information encountered and the replies from various states were a bit vague and open to interpretation so to
be safe check with a state park representative before your visit.
If it is a historical park in any sense of the word then consider it off limits.
Most states require a permit. Check with the state parks department or the park where you intend to visit prior to your planned
hunt. Some permits may be available at the park office while others may have to be issued by a regional or state office.
A few states charge a fee for the permits.
The information below gives a basic outline. Click on the state name and you will get whatever additional information is available. It may be the actual regulations or the reply received from the State Parks office.
If you find in actual practice or from your own experience that the information here is not correct please let us know.
In many cases the regulations indicate that it is up to the park manager. If none of the park managers in a specific state or
area will allow metal detecting then FMDAC would like to know.
FMDAC assumes no responsibility for any person who knowingly or accidentally violates any state park regulation. Although FMDAC will try to keep this information current we cannot anticipate how each regulation will be interpreted by a specific park department, park employee or other government employee. It is the sole responsibility of each individual to know and obey the regulations of the park or area they are visiting and or metal detecting.
Metal Detecting Summary Table below Allowed, not Allowed or Permit Required
Clip on a State or go to the complete state detail below the table to see a specific states response and park regulation link.
| Metal Detecting | ||
| State | Allowed | Comment |
| Alabama | Yes | With permit from Park Manager |
| Alaska | No Response | |
| Arizona | Yes | With permission of Park Ranger |
| Arkansas | Yes | On beach areas in some parks with permit from park office. |
| California | Yes | With permission from park office. |
| Colorado | Yes | With permission from the park manager. |
| Connecticut | Yes | Allowed on beach areas. Surface collection only in other areas. Some parks are closed. No permit required |
| Delaware | Yes | On beach areas only, east of dune line. |
| Florida | Yes | Beach areas only with permission of Park Manager |
| Georgia | No | |
| Hawaii | Yes | Beach areas only |
| Idaho | No | Metal detecting is OK but you cannot remove anything from the parks. |
| Illinois | Yes | With Permit from the park office |
| Indiana | Yes | On beach areas only with permission from the Park Manager. |
| Iowa | Yes | On beach areas only |
| Kansas | Yes | With permission from the park office. Reply stated that you are not allowed to dig but check with the park office on this point. |
| Kentucky | No | |
| Louisiana | No | |
| Maine | Yes | With permit from the park office. |
| Maryland | Yes | On beach areas only except Point Lookout and Calvert Cliffs. Permit required. |
| Massachusetts | Yes | On beach and campsite areas with permission of the Park Supervisor |
| Michigan | Yes | Some parks completely open, many have designated areas and some are closed. See the link for detailed info. |
| Minnesota | No | |
| Mississippi | No | |
| Missouri | Yes | On beach areas only with permit from DNR headquarters. By mail or email. |
| Montana | No | Metal detecting is OK but you cannot remove anything from the parks. |
| Nebraska | Yes | On beach areas only below the vegetation line. |
| Nevada | Yes | With permit from the park office. |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Most areas open unless posted |
| New Jersey | Yes | With permit from the Park Superintendent |
| New Mexico | No | |
| New York | Yes | On beach areas only with permit from the Park Manager |
| North Carolina | No | |
| North Dakota | No | |
| Ohio | Yes | On beach areas. Other areas with permit from the Park Manager |
| Oklahoma | Yes | With permit from the park office |
| Oregon | Yes | With permit from the park office |
| Pennsylvania | Yes | With permission from the park office. |
| Rhode Island | Yes | |
| South Carolina | Yes | On beach areas only with permission from the Park Manager |
| South Dakota | Yes | With permit from the park office. |
| Tennessee | No | |
| Texas | No | |
| Utah | No | |
| Vermont | Yes | With permission from the park office. |
| Virginia | Yes | With a permit from the Park Manager |
| Washington | Yes | With a permit. Hunting allowed at 67 parks. |
| West Virginia | No Response | |
| Wisconsin | No | Only for locating specific lost personal items. A special permit is required. |
| Wyoming | Yes | With permit from the Park Superintendent. |
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Park Regulation Detail by State Thanks to: Mark Schuessler, FMDAC ALLIANCE LIAISON |